Reigning Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant has indefinitely suspended all football-related activities following growing uncertainty over the future of the league and mounting financial pressure. The decision was taken after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that it had not received a single bid for ISL’s commercial rights, leading the domestic football team into a state of confusion.
“Our players were to assemble on Monday for the camp starting the next day. But now our camp has been suspended indefinitely till there is clarity on the Indian Super League,” a club official stated to PTI.
‘’Now that the season is delayed with uncertainty on ISL, we will analyse all the contracts next month. But we have not stopped anybody’s salary, everyone is paid,” the official further added.
The AIFF issued tenders for a 15-year commercial partnership on October 16. The deadline of November 7 ended without a single submission. A committee headed by retired Justice L Nageswara Rao, which was formed under Supreme Court orders, will soon meet to decide the next step.
Coach Jose Molina’s contract to be reviewed
Mohun Bagan head coach Jose Molina, who has recently argued with the management after the team’s Super Cup exit, continues to be on the club’s payroll. “His contract runs till the end of the season. We will review it next month,” a club source told PTI.
As per the Sportstar report, Molina has earlier criticised the lack of engagement in team selection and lamented, “When you cannot play matches, it’s very difficult to get your best.”
Meanwhile, East Bengal has decided not to suspend its operations. The club, which has moved ahead to the Super Cup semifinals, will restart training on November 10. “I personally feel ISL will go on. Indian football cannot stop like this,” East Bengal executive member Debabrata (Nitu) Sarka stated to PTI. She expressed confidence that the league and the upcoming fixtures will get going.
East Bengal urges the BCCI for financial assistance
Sarkar has also appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to intervene and financially support Indian football. “If the BCCI gets ready to sponsor Indian football for at least four to five years, for them, Rs 100-150 crore is not much. It can change the future of the game,” he mentioned.
Mohun Bagan’s season has not been stable despite early success, as per a report by Sportstar. The club started the year by reaching the Durand Cup quarterfinals, but it’s AFC Champions League 2 ended in disqualification. This happened due to visa issues that prevented the team from travelling to Iran. The team later went ahead by winning the IFA Shield, beating East Bengal, before being knocked out of the Super Cup by their city opponent.
The indefinite suspension reflects the growing financial and operational challenges across Indian football.